Fury as Government pushes through legislation

Elderly people are being warned by opposition parties they are under attack by the Government.

Under urgency, MPs are debating all stages of a bill that will change the rules around means testing for access to aged care homes, changing the yearly increase from $10,000 to match the rate of inflation.

Urgency means there's no select committee stage of legislation, denying the public a chance to have their say.

Labour says that'll mean more people will be over the access threshold and MP Kris Faafoi is outraged.

"This bill has been the dirty little secret of this budget, because where did it come from? It's so important, it's such a priority that we're discussing it in this house, that the National party did not even want to talk about it."

New Zealand First says the bill is an "ambush" on senior citizens who weren't warned by National the change was coming.

Labour MP Annette King says it's the thin edge of the wedge for old people.

"It was the National party that brought in asset testing, it was the National party that made promises to older New Zealanders and broke them, and now we have them bringing back a sneaky little deal."

Photo: Stockxchng